Iran and Pakistan Expand to 24 Weekly Flights
WANA (Sep 22) – With the signing of an agreement to enhance aviation cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, the number of direct flights between the two countries has increased to 24 per week, including new routes such as Mashhad–Karachi and Tehran–Islamabad. This expansion is expected to strengthen economic, trade, and cultural ties between the two neighbors.
In recent weeks, air cooperation between Iran and Pakistan has entered a new phase—an initiative that not only facilitates passenger travel but also plays a key role in boosting trade and cultural exchanges. Under the newly signed aviation transport cooperation document, weekly flight capacity between the two countries has reached 24, with key routes such as Mashhad–Karachi and Tehran–Islamabad now operational.
The agreement followed extensive coordination between the heads of the civil aviation authorities of Iran and Pakistan, in the wake of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Pakistan. Beyond expanding flights, the document also removes restrictions on air routes and outlines joint cooperation in navigation and specialized aviation training.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Social media/ WANA News Agency
Seyed Hamidreza Sanaei, Deputy for Aviation at Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, highlighted the importance of the deal: “For years, Pakistanis have requested the ability to transfer their passengers and pilgrims through their own airlines first to Mashhad and then to Najaf. Now this route has become legal and operational, and direct flights between various Iranian and Pakistani cities are expanding.”
He also referred to the high-demand Quetta–Zahedan route: “This route previously had no direct flights, forcing traders and businessmen to take a long and complicated path such as Quetta–Qatar–Tehran–Zahedan. We are now pursuing the necessary permits to launch direct flights on this route.”
Meanwhile, the Tehran–Islamabad direct route was officially inaugurated on September 8, when an Iran Airtour Airbus 300 landed at Islamabad Airport, raising the number of direct flights between Iran and Pakistan to five per week.
Airlines such as Iran Air, Taban, and Mahan have also launched services on the Mashhad–Karachi, Mashhad–Lahore, and Tehran–Lahore routes.
Pakistan Grants Permit for Maritime Travel to Iran
WANA (Aug 04) – Pakistan has issued its first official passenger shipping license, paving the way for a new maritime route that will facilitate pilgrimages to Iran and Iraq while reducing costs and easing pressure on land crossings. On Monday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs granted the first-ever official license for an international passenger […]
At the same time, the 22nd Iran–Pakistan Joint Economic Commission convened last week after a three-year pause, with the participation of the two countries’ ministers of transport, housing, and commerce, resulting in the signing of 13 economic memoranda of understanding.
Experts believe that expanding air transport not only facilitates travel for pilgrims and tourists but can also accelerate trade flows and economic cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad.
Overall, the growth of Iran–Pakistan flight connections means greater accessibility, reduced travel costs and time, and the establishment of solid infrastructure for advancing regional cooperation—an initiative that ushers in a new strategic phase in the traditional relations between the two countries.
